How bad is cheap RAM?

[bluemax]

Check out this in Canadian Dollars. (* 0.66 for appx US price.)

This is smokin' cheap! But how good or bad is cheap RAM?

 

[LukFilm]

This works only in Athlon motherboards, that's why

 

[Mookow]

cheap RAM sucks... it sucks hardcore. You might get lucky, and it might be stable with a 1 MHz OC on the FSB, but, you might be unlucky, and it might not be stable at stock speed. My griends wasnt stable until it was underclocked to PC100 (it was sold as PC133).

 

[bacillus]

<< But how good or bad is cheap RAM? >>


with high quality ram being so cheap, why chance it??

 

[TunaBoo]

It weighs 1 pound, it must be high quality!

 

[AMDPwred]

I think this is why I'm having problems OCing. I have some cheap RAM myself. I'll get me some Crucial RAM soon

 

[bluemax]

Anyone ever even HEARD of NCP-brand RAM? [shrug] 256MB is plenty anyways. Good stuff.

 

[eshtog]

what about crucial Ram?

 

[AMDPwred]

Crucial is the good stuff.

 

[bjc112]

if you aren't overclocking.. i would go for it, and take the risk! !!!

 

[eshtog]

I wont be over clocking so crucial will work fine I guess

 

[bonkers325]

very incompatible
poor pcb
cheap ram chips
u name it u got it

 

[benjamit]

cheap ram is like any other cheap puter components
if it works for you then that's great otherwise return it for credit/refund

 

[Remedy]

Funny i bought some Generic memory for my bros computer (gateway with i810 board.) and it didn't boot so i tossed it in VIA ap133a board and it lit up go figure....

 

[JJ8]

I am running 2x256 generic high density less than no-name-brand chips that I ordered from 1st Choice Memory and I have had zero problems. I do not overclock the memory however.

 

[Shudder]

It's a crap shoot. And at lower frequencies it seems to be ok, but as you go up you get more problems.

And as an above poster said, you'd save what, 10-20 bucks by getting the cheap stuff per 128 and 256MB respectively? It's NOT worth it.. Have a peace of mind and know that at least you won't have any memory problems because you didn't skimp.

 

[Kinki]

Just wonder. why do some ram only work on AMD system (or at least work better)? I see those around now and then saying Ram made for AMD system.

 

[LukFilm]

Because VIA chipsets support the RAM. Intel chipsets do not.

 

[Kazi]

One thing:

You get what you pay for...

 

[jamarno]

Memory modules with mismatched or oddly marked chips (&quot;PC-133&quot; instead of real marks) may contain used parts that haven't been tested very thoroughly. They may have been assembled in a sweatshop where the workers aren't paid enough to care, and the only testing done was with a $1,000 machine that's barely better than a software diagnostic.

Of course, then there's PNY memory, which may not be much better, judging from the module I received that contained remnants of a solder short across the fingers. The CompUSA manager didn't understand why that was a flaw.

 

[Hellblast]

I did the same thing JJ8 did, I ordered from 1stchoicememory. Got the mid-grade high density 256MB PC133 chip and it works at 144MHz.
Mobo is 8KTA3, I just ordered another 256er today. Will see how that goes, $40 plus shipping.

Hellblast

 

[benjamit]

for small amounts of ram and for reliability it's better to get good ram
but if you need lots and i mean lots then high density ram generic, if it works for you, would save you considerable money

 

[ndee]

I'll never in the world would buy again generic RAM. I only had problems with generic RAM. First stick didn't work, exchanged it, second stick worked only about 90% and with random crashes, bought some majorbrand RAM and all the lock-ups were gone, go figure.

 

[JJ8]

Still, I am tempted to order one of those 512 sticks for $60 and see how it goes! Has anyone else ordered one of those generic 512 high density sticks?

 

[purplecow]

Hey that is insanely cheap, just buy it and see how it works, if it doesn't work well return it! Jesus.. I bought my 256MB for $120cdn, that is 512 for nearly the same price!